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ByDenay DeGuzman
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This Chinese chicken salad is a deeply-flavorful restaurant recipe. Drizzled with Asian salad dressing it’s healthy, savory, and satisfying. It’s 100% tastier than the Okami Chinese chicken salad kit from Costco. Assemble in 15 minutes and enjoy right now. Or make a DIY salad kit.
📌 Pin Best Chinese Chicken Salad
🥗 Why This Recipe’s a Keeper
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of ingredients like shredded chicken, crisp crunchy lettuce, tasty veggies, wonton strips, almonds, and a savory dressing that excites the taste buds creates a delicious and satisfying flavor profile.
- Easy to Make: This Chinese chicken salad is simple to prepare. It’s an easy recipe that can be assembled quickly.
- Nutritious Meal: Combining protein, vegetables, and healthy fats, Chinese Chicken Salad is a balanced, satisfying meal with a well-rounded nutritional profile.
- Light and Refreshing: With its crisp textures and tasty dressing, this salad is perfect for warmer weather or as a refreshing meal option any time of year.
- Better and Cheaper than Takeout. This recipe produces a restaurant-quality salad for half the price of ordering it from a restaurant. Like homemade P.F. Chang lettuce wraps and air fryer orange chicken, you’ll save money by making it at home.
- Make-Ahead Friendly. It can be assembled as a DIY salad kit. Prep it on Sunday for a quick, hassle-free weekday meal. When ready to serve, just toss the ingredients together and enjoy.
- Ideal for potlucks. Chinese chicken salad is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s popular with a wide range of eaters. Take it to family gatherings, church socials and work parties. Serve it for Bunco Night along with artisan bread and butter.
🛒 Ingredients
- Rotisserie Chicken: I prefer using a delicious Costco rotisserie chicken. As soon as I get home I shred it up and store it in the fridge. Then it’s ready to go for assembling this easy Chinese chicken salad either the same day or a few days later.
- Romaine Lettuce: Deep green and hearty with a crisp, crunchy texture, it’s a must for this authentic Asian salad.
- Iceberg Lettuce: Has a mild, cool, crisp texture. The leaves are tender and less hearty than Romaine. For the best flavor and texture, we pair them together.
- Red Cabbage: A traditional ingredient for Asian salads, it adds color and texture.
- Shredded Carrots: A classic veggie for salads. It provides a beautiful orange color, and pairs well with lettuce and cabbage.
- Green Onions: Adds freshness with a bit of sweetness and tang.
- Fresh Cilantro: We use just the leaves, not the stems. A classic ingredient in Asian recipes, it’s often referred to as Chinese parsley. It has a pungent taste with hints of lemon and pepper. If you don’t like cilantro, just leave it out.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For color, texture, and a bit of heat.
- Sesame Seeds: Have a mild, sweet, nutty flavor. They add a delicious crunch.
- Sliced or Slivered Almonds: If taking to a potluck, serve this topping on the side. Some people at the gathering might be allergic to nuts. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Crispy Wonton Strips: At the market, find them in the produce section or next to the salad dressings. They’re usually packaged in zip-top pouches. If you can’t find them, use crispy chow mein (salad topper) noodles instead.
- 👉🏻 Homemade Asian salad dressing: This flavorful sweet/savory dressing is key to enjoying the best Chinese chicken salad. You won’t find a knock-off version of this in a bottle. It’s a special restaurant recipe that tastes amazing.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
These expert tips will help you create a fresh crunchy salad that’s so much better than takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant.
- Balance the textures: Ensure a satisfying texture by including a mix of crisp lettuce, crunchy nuts or seeds and tender chicken. For add-ins, consider Mandarin orange slices, water chestnuts, baby corn, julienned bell pepper, snow peas, and sunflower seeds.
- How to make this recipe faster: Buy prepared items at the market to include a store-bought rotisserie chicken, ready-to-serve Romaine lettuce, and packets of pre-shredded carrots and pre-shredded red cabbage.
- Make Ahead-Tips: Prepare the ingredients in advance, but keep the ingredients separate until ready to serve. Just before serving, toss the salad, and add the dressing and toppings. This will preserve freshness, and the crisp texture of the salad.
- About Asian Dressing: If storing it longer than 2 to 3 days in the fridge, add the garlic and ginger just before serving. Without these ingredients the dressing will last much longer.
- DIY Salad Kit: For meal planning, store the various components of the salad in separate zip-top bags and refrigerate – just like Costco’s Chinese chicken salad kit. Cooked chicken stays fresh in the fridge up to 3 days. Chopped lettuce stays fresh in the fridge up to 5 days. The Asian dressing can stay fresh for 2 to 3 days in the fridge, or longer without fresh garlic and ginger.
- For portion control, keep the dressing on the side for those who prefer less.
📖 Recipe Steps
- Prepare the Chinese chicken salad dressing in a jar. Let the dressing sit for at least 10 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
- Shred the rotisserie chicken breast and add it to a large salad bowl. Pour half of the Asian dressing over the chicken and toss well until all pieces are coated. Let the chicken sit for at least 10 minutes so the flavors can soak into the chicken.
- Add romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro to the bowl. Toss the Chinese chicken salad.
- Drizzle salad dressing over the top and toss again. Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, slivered almonds, and crispy (salad topper) wonton strips. Serve and enjoy immediately while the salad and toppings are crisp.
🧑🏼🍳 Recipe FAQ
Rotisserie chicken is a favorite because it’s flavorful, moist, convenient, and easy to shred. Because it’s already cooked, it’s hassle free, and there’s reduced kitchen clean-up. But grilled or poached chicken breasts also work well. In a pinch, you can use canned chicken breast that’s been well-drained.
Certainly! Chinese Chicken Salad is quite versatile, so feel free to customize it with your favorite vegetables. Some popular additions include bell peppers, snap peas, or bean sprouts.
Yes, you can substitute the chicken with other cooked proteins such as shrimp, tofu, or even thinly sliced beef or pork.
Crunchy wonton strips (salad toppers), crunchy fried noodles, crispy onions, slivered almonds, cashew halves, peanuts, and sesame seeds. At the market, look for these items in the produce section, next to the salad dressings, or in the Asian or International aisle.
Don’t toss the salad with the Asian dressing. Instead, place the container of dressing next to the salad bowl so people can drizzle it on when serving. On warm-weather days keep the salad chilled, place the salad bowl into a larger bowl (or chafing dish) filled with ice.
🍽 More Fresh Delicious Salads
Salads can be served for lunch or dinner as full meals or sides. They’re ideal for potlucks, picnics and backyard BBQs. Here are more delicious salads you’ll really enjoy.
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
- Broccoli Salad With Bacon
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Tropical Fruit Salad
- Cold Spaghetti Salad
- Watermelon Arugula Salad
Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor testers rated this the BEST Chinese chicken salad recipe. They loved the authentic Asian flavors and crisp delicious textures. They said it tastes just like those they’ve enjoyed at restaurants. And they liked the idea of making it in advance as a DIY Chinese Chicken Salad kit.
If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.
Chinese Chicken Salad
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
4.9 from 31 reviews
- Author: Denay DeGuzman
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings 1x
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Description
This Chinese chicken salad is a deeply-flavorful restaurant recipe. Drizzled with Asian salad dressing it’s healthy, savory, and satisfying. Assemble in 15 minutes and enjoy right now. Or make a DIY salad kit.
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken breast, shredded
- 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup (thinly-sliced) green onions
- 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves (optional), roughly chopped
- Asian salad dressing 👈🏻 use this recipe
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup (crispy salad topper) wonton strips
Instructions
- Add shredded chicken to a large bowl. Pour half of the Asian dressing over the chicken and toss until all pieces are well coated. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes so the flavors can soak into the chicken.
- Add romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro to the bowl. Toss to combine.
- When ready to serve, pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss.
- Garnish with red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, almonds, crispy wonton strips. Serve and enjoy immediately while the salad and toppings are crisp.
Equipment
Buy Now →Notes
- More delicious add-ins: Mandarin orange slices, water chestnuts, baby corn, julienned orange or red bell pepper, snow peas, and sunflower seeds. Or use (salad topper) chow mein noodles instead of crispy wonton strips.
- How to make this recipe faster: Buy prepared items at the market to include a rotisserie chicken, ready-to-serve (chopped) Romaine lettuce, and packets of pre-shredded carrots and red cabbage.
- About homemade Asian dressing: If storing it longer than 2 to 3 days in the fridge, add the garlic and ginger just before serving. Without these ingredients the dressing will last much longer.
- DIY Salad Kit: Prep items individually and store them in separate in zip-top bags in the fridge. Just like Costco’s Chinese chicken salad kit. Cooked chicken stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. Chopped lettuce stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. The Asian dressing will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days, or longer without fresh garlic and ginger (add them to the dressing just before serving).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Western Chinese
Chinese Chicken Salad 👉🏻 Join the Convo
Do you enjoy making DIY salad kits? Let me know what you think about this easy, flavorful recipe for Chinese chicken salad. Join the conversation in the comments below.
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This is delicious! Second time around I swapped the won ton noodles for chow mein and liked them better. I doubled the recipe and the dressing seems a tad to oily. Have you doubled before? Any tips? Also wondering if you have the nutritional information?
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Amazing recipe. I cook for 6 very picky people. Everyone finished their plates! My teenager with meat aversions even ate the left over chicken from the bowl LOL!!! Definitely a great, easy weeknight meal.
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Can’t wait to try this out.
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Unbelievably great! Used more ginger in the dressing and added red pepper to the salad. I will for sure make it again
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This was truly yummy. Thank you so much for the recipe. I substituted chopped vegan chicken strips and everyone in the family loved the meal! The dressing was great!
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This sounds delicious. If there are leftovers, do they keep well in the fridge overnight?
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Only if the lettuce mix, chicken, and dressing are not mixed together. I suggest only combining what will be eaten immediately, then storing the remaining items separately in airtight containers and refrigerating.
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I’m sorry I couldn’t find the dressing recipe. Sounds so good lite for the hot summer days
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Hello Sam! In the printable recipe card there’s a blue hyperlink in the ingredients section. If you click it, you’ll be taken directly to the fabulous salad dressing recipe. I hope you try it. It’s soooo good! https://www.confettiandbliss.com/asian-salad-dressing/
That looks so fresh and tasty!! I am actually not a fan of cilantro at all, although I sure wish I was right now.
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Made this for dinner last night. The dressing is very good. I didn’t have molasses so subbed a little brown sugar. We included both red and Napa cabbages, as well as red bell peppers. Topped with sliced almonds and a few wonton strips for crunch. Very tasty!
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This was so gooooo! I marinated ahi tuna in a little of the dressing then pan seared. It was a great aubstitute for the chicken.
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Caterina, what a great idea to switch things up and use ahi tuna! I bet that tasted great. Thanks so much for coming back to share your experience with this recipe. Happy holidays!
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Does the nutrition info include the salad dressing?
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Hello Audrey. The nutrition information includes 1/4 cup of the Asian salad dressing that’s added directly to the chicken. It does not include a drizzling of the Asian dressing over individual servings of salad. You’ll need to guesstimate the calories based on how much dressing you’d like to enjoy with your salad.
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This recipe was delicious! Very easy to make and authentic taste. Great no cook summer lunch or dinner. I used Rotisserie chicken and paired it with potstickers. Will definitely keep this recipe.
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Woohoo! Thanks so much Lynn! 🙂
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The salad sounds wonderful and I have all the ingredients to make it. However, a whole head of iceburg lettuce and a head of romaine lettuce sounds like a lot of lettuce especially since it calls for only 2 cups of chicken. Is this correct?
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Sorry but I did not find the Asian dressing recipe. How did I miss that?? Would love to make this recipe.
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Good morning Patricia! This flavorful Asian dressing makes all the difference: https://www.confettiandbliss.com/asian-salad-dressing/
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Hi Patricia, to get to the Asian Salad dressing recipe just click on the link which is in blue in recipe.
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Looks really yummy! I have never tried a Chinese chicken salad thus, I am so excited to try this on Saturday.
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This salad is to die for! I loooooove the addition of nuts to my salads. Doesn’t really make them low fat but definitely ups the health factor!
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I love how easy this was to throw together with leftover rotisserie chicken! The wonton strips on top are a must! I love the crunch they add!
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Whitney, thanks so much for visiting me here at Confetti and Bliss! This Chinese Chicken Salad recipe really is an excellent way to use leftover rotisserie chicken! And boy does this salad taste good! Enjoy. :-)
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This is such a wonderful salad recipe and you’re right, it’s perfect for when I meal-prep. It’s so easy to put together and so convenient to spoon some in a container in the mornings as my husband leaves for work. Such incredible flavors and I think I’m going to keep a bottle of the dressing always made in my fridge – it’s so good!!
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Joanie, I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying this Chinese Chicken Salad recipe with its scrumptious Asian Dressing! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment. Many good wishes for a fabulous week ahead! :-)
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Looks really yummy! I have never tried a Chinese chicken salad thus, I am so excited to try this on Saturday. Perfect for our upcoming family gathering.
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Sheila, get your taste buds ready…after the first forkful you’re going to go wild over this super scrumptious Chinese chicken salad! Your family will love it too! Thanks so much for stopping by to join the conversation. :-)
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We love quick meals as we are on the go a lot. This will be perfect to try now that school has started.
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This salad looks so colourful and inviting I could just dive right into a big bowl of it!
I like that it doesn’t use TOO many ingredients, either. It’s something I could contemplate making on a busy weeknight.
Thank you for this beautiful recipe!
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Helen, I’m so happy you love this yummy Chinese chicken salad recipe. Perfect for quick weekday meals, it’s also great when prepared as a DIY salad kit that you and your family can take to work, school, picnics, and more! Have a great week!
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What a nice crispy salad full of Asian flavors! Its amazing that you used rotisserie chicken here, i always have leftovers and never know what to do with them!
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This Chinese chicken salad recipe is indeed an awesome way to use leftover rotisserie chicken! Brandi, thank you so much for stopping by and joining the conversation! Have a great Monday. :-)
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This recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad seems easy. It seems that the Chinese salad dressing is key. I will try this recipe myself as it doesn’t only seem simple to prepare but it also looks tasty.
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The Asian salad dressing makes this Chinese chicken salad so flavorful and delicious! I usually double the recipe for the Asian dressing and use half as a chicken marinade for later in the week. I love time-saving meal ideas! Ingrid, thanks so much for stopping by. :-)
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This Chinese Chicken Salad looks so delicious! Just the recipe I was looking for!
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Thank you Jalisa! I’m so glad you found this yummy Chinese chicken salad recipe.
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I will totally have to try this out sometime! Chinese chicken salad is something I have never had before!
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Joanna, once you try this healthy, delicious, Chinese chicken salad recipe you’re going to love it! It’s quick and easy to make, and a great way to use rotisserie chicken.
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This is one of my favorite salads, but I’ve never tried making it at home! Gonna try this!
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This looks really tasty and flavorful! Great for Summer :D
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Its the perfect recipe for summer. I hope you really enjoy it.
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I absolutely love Chinese chicken salad! It’s so great as a side dish or at BBQs!
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Its the best for BBQs. You have that right!
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This salad looks so delicious. My mom’s birthday is coming up so I think I’ll make this for her.
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This salad is the best thing to make for a birthday. I hope your mom really enjoys it.
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This salad sounds delicious! I love meals that you can prepare ahead for a quick fix during the week.
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Quick meals are the best. The salad is the best. I hope you enjoy it.
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Your photography is gorgeous, and this salad sounds amazing! I’ll definitely be trying it!
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Thank you so much. I’m so glad you will be trying it. You’ll love it.
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